How To Choose The Best Type Of Floor Tiles For Your Bathroom

There are many possible choices of tiles for your bathroom including vinyl, linoleum, ceramic, porcelain and stone. Tile should be chosen based on affordability and personal taste.

Before you start searching for the tile that is going to transform your bathroom, there are a few things you need to consider. Tile is created for its intended use, therefore material and texture really matter when choosing flooring. Learning a few things about your tiling choices will ensure you are getting the best product and will be happy for years to come.

The most popular choices for tile flooring are vinyl, linoleum, ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks, yet all come in a variety of colors or patterns that can suit most decorative styles.

Vinyl tile is the most affordable option. Made from resins, plasticizers, and stabilizers, this flooring is durable, and coated to make cleanup simple. It is important to keep vinyl clean, because over time dirt can scratch the surface. Unlike some other flooring, the synthetic material of vinyl warms up easier, so it is less cold to the touch.

Linoleum is made of natural materials like powdered wood, limestone, and linseed oil; making it an environmentally sustainable option. Linoleum is considered a resilient product, and is more expensive than vinyl. Like vinyl it is easier to scratch than the harder tiles, but with frequent sweeping this can largely be avoided.

Ceramic tiles are made of clay and fired in a kiln. These tiles are almost always finished with a glaze containing a color or pattern. Ceramic tiles are very durable, but are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain. Because the color is only on the surface, some chips will show through the underlying color of the clay.

Porcelain tiles are also fired in a kiln and come glazed or unglazed. Because they are fired at a higher temperature than ceramic, they are harder and more durable. Glazed porcelain tiles don't need to be sealed, but unglazed do.

Stone tiles are likely the most expensive option. They are made from slate, granite, marble, or even limestone. Unlike the other tiles, stone needs to be resealed periodically to protect it from staining.

To prevent slipping in the bathroom, floor tiles need to be textured. For this reason, some glossy tiles won't work. If you aren't sure the style you like has the proper surface, speak with an in-store expert. Discuss what room the flooring will be installed in, so they can guide you to the safest choice.

Putting new tile in the bathroom will make it look fresh and renewed. For more information on a general contractor in San Diego, please visit this website.

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Plan A Successful Home Remodel

When preparing to remodel your home, making the right layout choices is crucial. From the materials that you use to the walking space that you leave, the trick to enjoying a successful remodel is to plan ahead.

Remodeling your house can change the functionality and personal enjoyment of the space that you call home. Whether it's the kitchen, the living room, or the bathroom that will be the target of your next remodel, it's important to pool all of your resources in order to make the most of the opportunity. Consider the materials, the space, future value, and how traffic will flow in the home as you start piecing your layout together.

Although it is not necessary to buy new appliances or furniture when remodeling, it tends to be one of the extra highlights of the experience. Making sure that you have the hooks ups for any new appliances, and that you plan ahead for their added (or reduced) size can help you avoid some headaches later on in the process.

Compare the materials that you plan on using. Natural pieces, such as wood, tend to offer a warmer, more welcoming feel to the space, while modern pieces that use a lot of metal can present the appearance of class and style. Using the materials to add to the layout of your remodel can make your efforts to reinvent your living space more effective.

The traffic patterns in your home may change after your remodel is complete, and knowing how that will happen can dramatically change the layout that is best for the space that you have available. The last thing that you want to have happen is for people to be squeezing in between appliances to enter or exit the room, or to be pumping into things on a daily basis. On average, you'll probably want almost three feet of room for free and relaxed movement.

The best way to make sure that you've got enough room to move around is to take precise measurements of each appliance and piece of furniture. Adding about three feet into your plan in areas that will experience high levels of traffic should make your layout more realistic to daily living.

A successful remodel can improve the market value of your home. However, simply remaking a room doesn't meant that buyers will like the changes that you've made. Considering the materials and types of layouts that are more in-line with the common preference can improve the likelihood that future buyers will be interested in investing in the future. For ideas and inspiration, check out picture galleries and remodels that your friends and family members have done.

The layout of your remodel should be fun and functional. Visit this website for more information on room additions in Poway.

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Differences Between Marble and Granite in Your Home

Granite and marble are both stones that look beautiful in the home as floor tiles, backsplashes, countertops, accents, or fireplace surrounds.  Both offer a feeling of sophistication to a room, but the similarities end there. These two stones are formed differently, and thus have different qualities. Choosing the right stone is easy once you learn about these differences.

Marble

This stone is formed in the bottom of bodies of water. Made largely from the remnants of calcium sediments like shells, animal skeletons, and silt, it takes millions of years and tons of pressure for the sediment to harden and become stone. Because marble is formed under pressure, it is porous. This makes it a poor choice for kitchen counter tops because it can stain. Despite its porosity, it is a durable product. Marble works great in bathrooms, as accents, or around a fireplace. Marble usually comes in black or white, with marbling throughout.

Granite

Granite is formed deep in the earth from molten lava. As the lava rises, it cools and hardens. Because granite is formed in an intense heat environment it is harder than marble and less porous. This makes it great for many applications including flooring, backsplashes, and countertops. Granite comes in two styles— consistent and variegated. Consistent has roughly the same pattern throughout the slab, whereas variegated has veining or swirling patterns of different colors.

No matter which stone you choose, you will love the elegant look at feel of the stone. To learn more about concrete slabs in San Diego for your home, visit this website.

Handy Remodeling Checklist

Before your contractor picks up a hammer you need to be clear on what your goals and budget are for a remodel. To stay on track, create a checklist of the following items and work through each one before moving on to the next.

1.       Make a list of needs

Write down a list of all the things that need to be done on the house. Then prioritize each item in order of importance. If you need to cut spending anywhere, start with the least important.

2.       Figure out your budget

Try to come up with a general figure you can spend. Most likely the remodel will exceed this amount, so cushion it by about 10 percent. Once you get an estimate from your contractor you’ll have a better idea of what your budget will allow.

3.  Research contractors

This is one of the most important details in your preparation. To start looking for a good company, ask your friends and co-workers for references. Make sure you interview any potential contractors before you sign paperwork. This company will be in your home, so you want to make sure you are comfortable with them!

4.Get clear

Make sure you know what you want before work starts. Each time you change your mind after the project begins, you delay the project and potentially increase costs. Your contractor can help with questions and concerns.

Working with a checklist like this will help any remodel go smoother and cost less. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing you made well-informed decisions in advance of the work being done.

For  more information on general contractor in San Diego, check out this website.